The other three men were Air Force Capt. Richard C. Yeend, Jr., of Mobile, Alabama.; Air Force Staff Sgt. Elmer L. Holden, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma., and Air Force Sgt. James D. Locker, of Sidney, Ohio.

Lt. Rittichier was serving with the U.S. Air Force on an exchange program at the time, and was piloting the aircraft, with Capt. Yeend serving as co-pilot. Sgts. Holden and Locker were members of the aircrew.